Hydroxy-benzoic acid ethers and salts thereof



United States Patent ice This invention relates to hydroxy-benzoic acid others as well as to alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of such ethers.

More particularly, the present invention relates to hydroxy-benzoic acid ethers of the formula COOH wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl with 1-12 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl, especially cyclohexyl, as well as to alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of these ethers.

The compounds according to the present invention may conveniently be prepared by a number of methods, but the following have proved to be most suitable:

METHOD A By reacting a compound of the formula wherein X is a carboxyl group or a substituent which can be transformed into a ca-rboxyl group, such as an ester, acid amide or nitrile group, and Z is hydrogen or the cation of an alkali, with a compound of the formula O H (III) wherein R has the meanings previously defined in connection with Formula I and Hal is a halogen selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine.

The reaction is carried out at elevated temperatures and, if desired, in the presence of an inert organic solvent, suoh as a lower alkanol. The etherification reaction is preferably eflfected at the boiling point of the particular inert organic solvent if one is used.

In the event that X in the etherification reaction product is an ester, acid amide or nitrile group, it is subsequently converted into the desired carboxyl group by hydrolysis with an aqueous mineral acid or aqueous alkali.

a If the process does not already yield the hydroxy-ben zoic acid ethers of the Formula I in the form of their alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts, they may reaction product.

readily be transformed into such salts by well known methods.

METHOD B By reacting compounds of the formula V) wherein X is a carboxyl group or a substituent which may be converted into a carboxyl group, such as an ester, acid amide or nitrile group, with an epoxide of the formula wherein R has the meanings previously defined in connection with Formula I. The reaction may be carried out, if desired, in the presence of an inert organic solvent. Moreover, the reaction may be accelerated with the aid of a catalyst, such as piperidine hydrochloride. If X in the reaction product is an ester, acid amide or nitrile group, it may readily be transformed into a carboxyl group by well known methods, as in Method A above.

METHOD :0

By reacting a compound of the formula wherein Y is an ester, acid amide or nitrile group and Hal is chlorine, bromine or iodine, with an alkali metal alcoholate of the formula wherein R has the meanings previously defined in connection with Formula I and Me is an alkali metal, in the presence of a suitable organic solvent, preferably an alcohol of the formula R-OH, wherein R has the meanings pre-' viously defined, at temperatures between 60 and 200 C. The reaction may also be carried out at the boiling point of the particular solvent.

Subsequently, the substituent Y is transformed into a carboxyl group as in Methods A and B above.

If the reaction products in Methods A, B and C above are obtained in the form of ester ethers, acid amide ethers or nitrile ethers, these intermediates do not have to be isolated in pure form. Instead, the raw intermediates may be subjected to the acid or alkaline hydrolysis to convert the ester, acid amide or nitrile group into the carboxyl group after removing any unreacted starting material which may be present in the raw intermediate In other words, the purification of the end product may be postponed until after the hydrolysis step.

The following examples illustrate the preparations of a few representative members of the group of compounds of the Formula I according to'the present invention. It should be understood, however, that these examples are given for purposes of illustration only and that the inven- Patented Aug. 3, 1965' XAMPLE I Preparation of m-(3-is0prop0xy-2-hydroxy)- propoxy-benzoic acid by Method A m-Hydroxy-benzoic acid ethyl ester was subjected to a condensation reaction with 3-isopropoxy-2-hydroxy-lchloropropane in the presence of sodium ethylate, yielding in (3 isopropoxy-Z-hydroxy)-propoxy benzoic acid ethyl ester of the formula having a boiling point of l68 -172 C. at 0.04 mm. Hg. 54 gm. of this intermediate product were admixed with 220 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide and the resulting mixture was refluxed for three hours. The reaction solution was allowed to cool, was then extracted twice with ether and was made acid with concentrated hydrochloric acid. An oil separated out which was extracted with ether. The ether extract solution was dried over sodium sulfate. After evaporating the ether in vacuo an oily residue was obtained which crystallized upon trituration. The crystalline product was recrystallized from a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether, yielding 30 gm. of a compound of the formula having a melting point of 92 C.

Using an analogous procedure, the following 'compounds were also prepared:

(a) m-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula having a melting point of 84-85 C. from m-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester and 3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloropropane.

(b) m-(3-propoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula coon having a melting point of 57-60 C. from m-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester and 3-propoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(c) m-(3-hexoXy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula i O-OH -CH-OH -O-(CH h-OH;

having a melting point of 72 C. from m-hydroxy-benzoic acid ethyl ester and S-hexoxy 2 hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

. 4 (d) m-(3-octoxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula O-CHz-(?HCH:0-( 2)T 3 having a melting point of 54 C. from rn-hydroxy-benzoic acid ethyl ester and 3-octoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane. (e) m-(3-nonoxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula ('3 O OH -0-oH -CH-CH2-0(GH,) -GH3 having a melting point of 55 C. from m-hydroxy-benzoic acid ethyl ester and 3-nonoxy-2hydroxy-l-chloro-propane. (f) m-(3-rnethoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula ('3 O O H OOHgCHCHr-OCH3 having a melting point of 1l5-1l6 C. from m-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester and 3-methoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(g) p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula coon ( )CH2CH-CH2OCHa having a melting point of 117 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester and 3 -methoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

EXAMPLE II Preparation of p-(3-is0prop0xy-2-hydroxy)-pr0p0xy-. benzoic acid by Methad A p-Hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester was subjected to a condensation reaction with 3-propoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloropropane in the presence of sodium ethylate and ethanol as a solvent, yielding p-(3-isopropoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester of the formula a mixture of benzene and petroleum ether, yielding 27 gm. of a compound of the formula having a melting point of 98-99 C.

Using an analogous procedure, the following compounds were also prepared:

(a) m-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 63-65 C. from m-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-heptoxy-2-hydroxy-1-chlo- :ro-propane.

(c) m- (3-decyloxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 53-54 C. from m-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-decyloxy-2-hydr0xy-1-chloro-propane.

(d) p-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy)-prop0xy benzoicracid of the formula having a melting point of 98-100 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and 3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy 1- chloro-propane.

(e) p-(3-propoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benz0ic acid of the formula COOH ( )CHI'?H CHT OCHQ CHQOH3 having a melting point of 108-110 C. from p-hydroxy- 6 benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-propoxy-2-hydroxyl-chloro-propane.

(f) p-(S-butoxy-Z-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 82-84 C. from p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-butoxy-2-hydroxy-lchloro-propane.

(g) p-(3-isobutoxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula having a melting point of 91-93 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-amyloxy-2-hydroxyl-1- chloro propane.

(h) p-(3-amy1oxy-2-hydroxy) propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 73-75 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and 3-.n-amyloxy-2-hydroxy-1- chloro-propane.

(i) p-(3-hexoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic of the formula COOH V d-onnon-cm-o-(cmn-cm having a melting point of 68 C. from p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-heXoXy-2-hydroXy-l chloropropane. a

(i) p-(3-heptoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 74-75 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and3-n-hept0xy-2-hydroXy-1- chloro-propane.

(k) p-(3-octoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoXy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH d-om-ott-om-o-mmw-om having a melting point of 85 C. from p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-octoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloropropane.

. (l) p-(3-nonoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH ()CH -(}3HOH;O-(CH2)a-CH,

having a melting point of 64 C. from p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-nonoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloropropane.

(m) p-(3-decyloxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula 7 COOH having a melting point of 8891 C. from p-hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and 3-n-decyloxy-2-hydroxy-1- chloropropane.

EXAMPLE III Preparation of 0-,(3-isopropoxy-2-hydroxy)- pi'oxy-sodium benzoate by Method A Salicylamide was subjected to a condensation reaction with 3-isopropoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane in the presence of sodium ethylate, yeilding o-(3-isopropoxy-2- hydroxy)-propoxy-benzamide of the formula having a melting point of 70 C.

60 gm. of this benzamide ether were admixed with 300 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide, and the resulting mixture was refluxed for two and one-half hours while constantly passing nitrogen therethrough. Thereafter, the reaction solution was extracted with ether .and the ether extract solution was discarded. The aqueous phase was adjusted to acid reaction with concentrated hydrochloric acid while cooling the mixture on ice, whereby a precipitate formed.

The precipitate was separated and taken up in ether. It

was purified by reprecipitating it from an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The product thus obtained, which was identified to be o-(3-isopropoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxybenzoic acid of the formula C O O H having a melting point of 162164 C. were obtained.

Using an analogous procedure, the following compounds were also prepared:

(a) 0-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH and its sodium salt (M.P.=209210 C.) from salicylamide and 3-methoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(b) o-(3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COOH having a melting point of 58-59 C. from salicylamide and ,3-ethoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(c) o-(3-n-propoxy-2-hydroxy) propoxybenzoic acid of the formula COOH I Qo-om-ga-cm-o-om-om-orn and its sodium salt (M.'P.=1'43144 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-propoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(d) o-(3-isobutoxy-Z-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula and its sodium salt (M.P.=l-l87 C.) from salicylamide and 3-isobutoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(e) 0-(3 -n-amyloxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula and its sodium salt (M.P.=137-139 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-amyloxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(f) o-(3-n-hexoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula 9 and its sodium salt (M.P.=l47 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-hexoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(g) o-(3 n-heptoxy-Z-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula and its sodium salt (M.P.=l40l42 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-heptoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane. (h) o-(3-n-octoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula and its sodium salt (M.P.=141 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-octoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

(i) o-(3-n-nonoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula OOOH and its sodium salt (M.P.'=132 C.) from salicylamide and 3-n-nonoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane.

EXAMPLE IV Preparation of the calcium salt of -(3-n-butoxy-2- hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid by Method A Salicylamide was subjected to a condensation reaction with 3-n-butoxy-2-hydroxy-l-chloro-propane in the presence of sodium ethylate, yielding o-(3-n-butoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzamide of the formula CONHz having a melting point of 62-63 C.

12 gm. of this salicylamide ether were admixed with 27 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide and the resulting mixture was refluxed for three hours while continuously passing nitrogen therethrough. The reaction solution was then allowed to cool and was extracted twice with ether, the ether extract solutions being discarded. The aqueous phase was acidified with 2 N hydrochloric acid,whereby an oil separated out. The oil was taken up in ether, the ether solution was dried over sodium sulfate, the ether was evaporated and the residue was covered with about 20 cc. of water. To this aqueous mixture 6'gm. of calcium carbonate were added in several small portions, the resulting mixture was vigorously stirred and the slurry thus obtained was allowed to stand for one hour. Thereafter, the slurry was admixed with 50 cc. of water and the excess calcium carbonate was filtered off. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness in vacuo, leaving as a residue 4 gm. of o-(3 -n-butoxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-ca1cium benzoate of the formula COO.%Ca

having a melting point of 101-103 C.

1Q Using an analogous procedure, the following compound was also prepared:

(a) m-(3 isobutoxy-Z-hydroxy)-propoxy-calcium benzoate of the formula having a melting point of 128130 C.

EXAMPLE V Preparation of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydr0xy)-pr0p0xybenzoic acid by Method B A mixture of 15.2 gm. of p-hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ether, 17.6 gm. of glycidol methyl ether and 0.5 gm. of piperidine hydrochloride was heated for five hours at 110-120 C. Thereafter, the excess unreacted glycidol ether was distilled oil in "vacuo and the residue, consisting essentially of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester, was saponified by boiling it for two hours with 200 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide, yielding an aqueous alkaline solution of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)- propoxy-sodium benzoate. This solution was then made acid with hydrochloric acid, whereby a precipitate formed which was recrystallized from dilute ethanol. 13 gm. of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid having a melting point of 117-118 C. were obtained.

EXAMPLE VI Preparation of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-pr0poxybenzoic acid 'by Method C p-Hydroxy-benzoic acid methyl ester was subjected to a condensation reaction with epichlorohydrin, yielding p- (3-chloro-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester of the formula COOCH;

l O-CHz-CH-OHa-Cl having a boiling point of 158-161 C. at 0.3 mm. Hg. 24.4 gm. of this ether ester were dissolved in 50 cc. of absolute methanol, and the resulting solution was added dropwise to a solution of 2.3 gm. of metallic sodium in 50 cc. of absolute methanol. The resulting mixture was refluxed for four hours, accompanied by stir-ring, and the precipitate formed thereby was then filtered off. The-filtrate was concentrated by evaporation under reduced pres- :sure, and the oily residue was boiled for three hours with cc. of 2 N hydrochloric acid. The react-ion mixture was then allowed to cool and the precipitate formed thereby was separated and recrystallized from diluteethanol. 14 gm. of p-(3-methoxy2-hydroxy) propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula (IJOOH having a melting point of 117-118 C. were obtained.

l1 7 EXAMPLE VII Preparation of the sodium salt of o-(3-amyl0xy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic. acid by Method C 9.5 gm. of salicylic acid nitrile were added to a solution of 1.9 gm. of metallic sodium in 70 cc. of absolute ethanol, and the resulting mixture was heated to the boiling point. Thereafter, 12 gm. of 3-n-amyloxy-Z-hydroxy-propyl chloride were added and the mixture was refluxed for ten hours. The precipitate formed thereby was separated by vacuum filtration, and the filtrate was concentrated by evaporation. The evaporation residue was taken up in ether. The ether solution was shaken twice with 2 N sodium hydroxide and was then concentrated by evaporation. The evaporation residue was admixed with 100 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide and the mixture was refluxed for three hours while continuously passingnitrogen therethrough. The reaction mixture was then allowed to cool and was extracted with ether; The ether extract was dis carded, while the aqueous phase was made acid with 2 N hydrochloric acid, whereby an oil separated out which was extracted with chloroform. The extract solution was concentrated by evaporation and the residue was exactly neutralized with an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. After again evaporating the solution and triturating the residue with dry acetone, 9 gm. of the sodium salt of o-(3-amyloxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula COONa having a melting point of l37139 C. were obtained.

EXAMPLE VIII Preparation of the sodium salt of o-(3-meth0xy-2- hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid by Method B Salicyclic acid nitrile was subjected to a condensation reaction with glycidol methyl ether, yielding o-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzonitrile of the formula O-CHz-CH-CHr-O-CH;

having a boiling point of 146 C. at 0.3 mm. Hg. 4.5 gm. of this benzonitrile ether were admixed with 50 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide, and the resulting mixture was refluxed for five hours while continuously passing nitrogen therethrough. The reaction product was extracted with ether and was then made acid with 2 N hydrochloric acid. The acid solution was saturated with sodium chloride and shaken with chloroform. The chloroform phase was separated and concentrated by evaporation, leaving as a residue an oil which was neutralized with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The resulting solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue was recrystallized from a mixture of methanol and acetone, yielding 2.8 gm. of o-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy) -propoxy-sodium benzoate of the formula COONa having a melting point of 209210 C.

i2 EXAMPLE IX Preparation of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy -propoxybenzoic acid by Method B A mixture of 13.8 gm. of p-hydroxy-benzoic acid, 22 gm. of glycidol methyl ether and 0.5 gm. of piperidine hydrochloride was heated for twenty hours at 120 C. The reaction product was taken up in chloroform and the chloroform solution was extracted with 2 N sodium hydroxide. The chloroform phase was concentrated by evaporation and the oil remaining as a residue was saponified into the acid by boiling it for three hours with 100 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide. The reaction solution was extracted with ether, the ether extract solution was discarded, and the aqueous phase was acidified with 2 N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate formed thereby was separated and recrystallized from dilute ethanol, yielding 9 gm. of p-(3-methoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula having a melting point of 118 C.

EXAMPLE X Preparation of p-(3-cyclohexyloxy-2-hydroxyl)-propoxybenzoic acid by Method C p-(3-chloro 2 hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid methyl ester and cyclohexanol were subjected to a condensation reaction with sodium, yielding p-(3-cyclohexoxy-2-hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acidmethyl ester of the formula $OOCH;

d-onr-on-on -o'@ 14 gm. of this raw ester ether were admixed with 100 cc. of 2 N sodium hydroxide, and the resulting mixture was refluxed for three hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool, was extracted twice with ether, and the aqueous phase was acidified with concentrated hydrochlon'c acid. An oil separated out, which was taken up in ether. The ether solution was dried over sodium sulfate and the ether was distilled off. An oil remained as a residue, which crystallized throughout upon being stirred. The crystalline product was recrystallized from dilute methanol, yielding 8 gm. of p-(3-cyclohexyloxy-2- hydroxy)-propoxy-benzoic acid of the formula (IIOOH having a melting point of 1l8l20 C.

The compounds according to the present invention, that is, the compounds of the Formula I above and their alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts are useful as pharmacological and therapeutic agents. More particularly, they exhibit highly effective choleretic activities, which are substantially superior to those of presently available choleretics of similar structure, both with respect to the increase in bile secretion and duration of effective action.

The hydroxy-benzoic acid ethers disclosed herein are, as a rule, insoluble in water; consequently, for therapeutic application they are advantageously administered in the form of their water soluble alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, such as their sodium salts or calcium salts.

The effective single dose for choleretic therapy is 100- 200 mgm., and the daily dose rate is 300-800 mgm.

For therapeutic purposes the compounds according to the present invention are advantageously administered as active ingredients in customary dosage unit compositions, that is, as active ingredients in tablets, coated pills, solutions and the like. These dosage unit compositions may also comprise other therapeutic agents, such as spasmolytics, laxatives, enzymes and vitamins. The administration of dosage unit compositions containing the compounds according to the present invention as well as a spasmolytic as active ingredients is particularly advantageous in those cases where the gall bladder disorder is accompanied by painful spasms of the gall bladder and the bile ducts.

The following examples illustrate a few representative dosage unit compositions containing the compounds according to the invention as active ingredients, which may be employed for choleretic therapy. The parts are parts by weight unless otherwise specified.

EMMPLE XI Tablets The tablet composition is compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts o-(3-n-hexoxy 2 hydroxy-propoxy)-sodium benzoate 100.0 Sec. calcium phosphate 100.0

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone 3.0 Magnesium stearate 2.0 Potato starch 45.0

Total 250.0

COMPOUN'DING PROCEDURE EXAMPLE XII Coated pills The pill core is compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts p-(3-isobutoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid 150.0

Lactose 60.0 Corn starch, dry 47.0 Colloidal silicon dioxide 6.0 Glycerin 6.0 Potato starch, dry 10.0 Magnesium stearate 1.0

Total 280.0

COMPOUN-DING PRO CEDURE The active ingredient, the lactose, the corn starch and the colloidal silicon dioxide are admixed with each other. The resulting mixture is then kneaded with a 10% mucilage of the potato starch containing the glycerin until a uniform moist mass is obtained. The moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mrn.-mesh screen and the resulting moist granulate is dried at 40 C. and again passed through the screen. The magnesium stearate is added and the finished mixture is pressed into pill cores weighing 280.0 mgm. each. The pill cores are then provided in the usual manner with a candy shell consisting essentially of sugar and talcum which is polished with beeswax. Each coated pill weighs approximately 400 mgm. and contains 150 mgm. of the active ingredient.

EXAMPLE XIII Drops The drop solution is compounded from the following ingredients:

Distilled water, q.s. ad 100.0 ml.

COMPOUN DIN G PROCEDURE The active ingredient, the Saccharin sodium and the glycerin are dissolved in the distilled water (solution I). The p-hydroXy-benzoic acid esters, the peppermint oil and the methanol are dissolved in the ethanol (solution II). Solution I is admixed with solution 11 and the combined solution is filtered until clear. 1 ml. of solution contains mgm. of o-(3-n-heptoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy) -sodium benzoate.

EXAMPLE XIV Gelatin capsules The contents of the capsules are compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts o-(3-n-hexoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid 200.0

Beeswax 10.0

Total 210.0

COMPO UN DING PROCEDURE Thebeeswax is melted and the active ingredient, preheatedto 70 C., is stirred into the molten wax. The resulting wax solution is cooled while stirring. 210 mgm. portions of this wax composition are filled into No. 4 soft gelatin capsules,.for example by the Scherer Rotary Die Process. Each capsule contains 200 mgm. of the active ingredient.

EXAMPLE XV Gelatin capsules m-(3-nonoxy-2-hydroxy propoxy) benzoic acid is passed through a 0.75 mrn.-mesh screen, and mgm. portions of the screened substance are filled into gelatin capsules of suitable size. 5

1 5 EXAMPLE XVI Coated pills containing a choleretic according to the present invention in combination with a spasmolytic and vitamin B The pill cores are compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts o-(3-hexoxy-2-hydroxypropoxy)-benzoic acid 100.0 Dimethyl-n-octyl-(,fl-benzilic acid ethyl ester)-am- COMPDUNDING PROCEDURE The o-(3-hexoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid, the colloidal silicon dioxide, the lactose and 40 parts of the corn starch are admixed with each other, the resulting mixture is'kneaded with a aqueous solution of the soluble starch, the moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen, and the moist granulate is dried at 45 C. (granulate I).

The spasmolytic, the vitamin B mononitrate, the nicotinic acid amide and 5 parts of the corn starch are admixed with each other, the resulting mixture is kneaded with a ethanolic solution of the tartaric acid wherein the polyethylene glycol is also dissolved, the moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen, and the moist granulate thus obtained is dried at 40 C. (granulate II) Granulates I and II are admixed, the magnesium stearate and the remaining corn starch are added, the mixture is homogenized and pressed into pill cores weighing 410 mgm. each. The pill cores are provided in the usual manner with a candy coating consisting essentially of sugar and talcum and the coated pills are polished with beeswax. Each pill weighs about 600 mgm. and contains 100 mgm. of the choleretic ingredient.

EXAMPLE XVH Coated pills containing a choleretic according to the present invention in combination with enzymes The pill cores are compounded from the following ingredients:

COMPOUNDING PROCEDURE A mixture of the choleretic ingredient, the colloidal silicon dioxide, the lactose and parts of the corn starch is kneaded with a 15% aqueous solution of the soluble starch, the moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesl1 screen and the moist granulate thus obtained is dried at 45 C. (granulate I).

A mixture of the pepsin with the remaining corn starch is moistened with ethanol, the moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen and the most granulate thus obtained is dried at 40 C. (granulate II).

Granulates I and II are admixed with each other and with the pancreatin and the magnesium stearate, the mixture is homogenized and pressed into pill cores weighing 600 mgm. each. The pill cores are then provided in the usual manner with a thin candy shell consisting essentially of sugar and talcum. The coated pills are finally polished with beeswax. Each pill weighs about 1000 mgm. and contains mgm. of the choleretic ingredient.

EXAMPLE XVIII Gelatin capsules containing a choleretic according to the present invention in combination with a laxative agent The contents of the capsules are compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts o-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy-benzoic acid 200.0 3,3-bis-(p-actoxyphenyl)-0xindole (laxative) 10.0 Beeswax 10.0

Total 220.0

COMPOUNDING PROCEDURE EXAMPLE XIX Coated pills containing a choleretic according to the present invention in combination with a laxative agent The pill cores are compounded from the following ingredients:

Parts p-(3-isobutoxy-Z-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid 150.0 1,S-dihydroxy-anthraquinone (laxative) 100.0 Corn starch 90.0 Polyvniyl pyrrolidone 5.0 Magnesium stearate 5.0

Total 350.0

COMP OUNDING PROCEDURE The choleretic ingredient, the laxative agent, the corn starch and the polyvinyl pyrrolidone are admixed with each other, the resulting mixture is moistened with 75 parts of ethanol and the moist mass is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen. The moist granulate thus obtainedis dried at 40 C. The dry granulate is admixed with the magnesium stearate and the resulting mixture is pressed into pill cores weighing 350 mgm. each. The pill cores are then provided in the customary manner with a thin candy shell consisting essentially of sugar and talcum, and the coated pills are polished with beeswax. Each-pill weighs about 500 mgm. and contains mgm. of the choleretic ingredient.

17 EXAMPLE xx Coated pills containing a choleretl'c according to the present invention and a spasmolytic agent The pill cores are compounded from the following ingredient:

Parts o-(3-hexoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid 100.0 a- 2,5 -endomethylene-A -cycloheX- enyl)-mandelic acid-,B-dimethylamino-ethyl ester-bromomethylate COMPOUNDING PROCEDURE The choleretic ingredient, a milled mixture of the spasmolytic agent and the lactose, the colloidal silicon dioxide and 40 parts of corn starch are admixed with each other, and the resulting mixture is kneaded with a aqueous solution of the soluble starch. The moist mass thus obtained is passed through a 1.5 mm.-mesh screen and the resulting moist granulate is dried at 45 C. The dry granulate is admixed with the remaining corn starch and the magnesium stearate, and the finished composition is pressed into pill cores weighing 400 mgm. each. The pill cores are then provided in the customary manner with a thin candy shell consisting essentially of sugar and talcum. The coated pill are polished with beeswax. Each pill Weighs about 600 mgm. and contains 100 mgrn. of the choleretic ingredient.

While I have illustrated my invention with the aid of certain specific embodiments thereof, it will be readily apparent to others skilled in this art that my invention is not limited to these particular embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxy-benzoic acid ethers of the formula OOOH wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and cyclohexyl, their alkali metal salts and their alkaline earth metal salts.

2. o-(3-hexyloxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid.

3. o-(3-hexyloxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-sodium benzoate.

o-(3- ieptylOXy-Z-hydroxy-propoxy)-benz0ic acid. o-(3-heptyloxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-sodium benzoat p-( 3-is0butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid. p-(3-isopropoxy-Z-hydroxy-propoxy) -benzoic acid. 0. m-(3-nonyloxy-2-hydroXy-propoxy)-benzoic acid.

6. o-(3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-benzoic acid.

7. o-( 3-butoxy-2-hydroxy-propoxy) -calcium benzoate. 3.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 7/43 Great Britain.

LORRAINE A. WEINBERGER, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES B. PARKER, LEON ZITVER, Examiners.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,198,827 August 3, 1965 Gerhard Ohnacker It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, formula (V) should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 6, lines 5 to 11, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

COOH

o-ca -ca-ca -o- (011 431 line 30, for "Sm-amyloxy-Z-hydroxyl" read 3-isobut0xy-2- hydroxyline 47, after "-benzoic" insert acid column 7, line 44, for "proxy-sodium", in italics, road propog ysodium in italics; line 47, for "yeilding" read yielding column 8, lines 60 to 64, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

OOH

O-CH CH-CH O- (CH -CH column 12, lines 40 to 48, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

COOCH O-CH -gH-CH -O column 16, line 26, after "-propoxy" insert a closing parenthesis; line 27, for "pactoxyphenyl" read p-acetoxyphenyl column 17, line 34, for "pill" read pills Signed and sealed this 1st day of March 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF HYDROXY-BENZOIC ACID ETHERS OF THE FORMULA 